Physical Therapy

Physical therapy provides a full range of diagnostic and therapeutic services,
including balance training, occupational rehabilitation, soft tissue mobilization, and
electrical stimulation, to recover a range of motion and coordination. Physical therapist assistants (PTA) and physical therapist aides work under the supervision of physical therapists, helping patients who are recovering from injuries regain movement and manage chronic pain. Further, they develop exercise programs that will help patients improve cardiovascular function, regain flexibility, and build muscle mass. All states require physical therapist assistants to have an associates degree from an accredited physical therapist assistant program. These programs typically last 2 years, and include courses in algebra, English, anatomy, physiology, and psychology. PTAs gain hands-on experience during supervised clinical work rotations, and may earn certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and other first-aid skills.

Licensure typically requires graduation from an accredited physical therapist assistant program and passing the National Physical Therapy Exam, administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Physical therapist aides, on the other hand, are not required to be licensed but earn less salary. Some states require that applicants pass additional state-administered exams, undergo a criminal background check, and be at least 18 years old. Employment of physical therapist assistants and aides is projected to grow 40 percent from 2015 to 2025, much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for physical therapist assistants and aides was $42,980 in May 2015.

Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing from a chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma or emphysema. Respiratory therapists need at least an associates degree, but employers may prefer applicants who have a bachelors degree. Courses deal with therapeutic and diagnostic procedures and tests, equipment, patient assessment, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In addition to coursework, programs have clinical rotations that allow respiratory therapists to gain practical experience in treating patients. Average salaries in 2015 were about $57,790 per year, and employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 12% yearly through 2025.

Licensure requirements in most states include passing a state or professional certification exam. The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) offers two levels of certification: Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist. CRT is the first-level certification. Applicants must have earned an associate's degree from an accredited respiratory therapy program, or completed a bachelors degree program, and pass an exam. The second-level certification is RRT certification, for candidates with several years of experience as a certified respiratory therapist.

Heart Disease & Circulation

Heart disease is a condition where the heart muscle grows progressively weaker, and cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs for oxygen and nutrients. Heart damage can result from a variety of conditions, but the single most common cause is a heart attack that damages the heart muscle. Failure can also stem from problems with the heart's valves, rheumatic heart disease, bacterial infections, and congenital defects. Other heart diseases include abnormal heart rhythms, deterioration of the heart muscle, and high blood pressure. As heart failure progresses, blood backs up into the vessels around the lungs. This causes fluid to seep into the respiratory tract, congesting the lungs and making breathing difficult. Thus, heart failure is sometimes called congestive heart failure. Other symptoms of heart failure are fatigue, swelling of the legs, rapid weight gain, loss of appetite, abdominal bloating, and difficulty sleeping.

Speech Language Pathology

A speech-language pathologist is a specialist in communication and swallowing disorders. Most speech-language
pathologists have a bachelor's degree, and are state licensed. Speech-language pathologists evaluate and treat speech, language, cognitive, oral, and swallowing deficits. Feeding and swallowing problems can have a variety of causes. For example, infants born with cleft lip or palate may experience difficulty with eating. The speech-language pathologist can help choose an appropriate bottle and positioning to improve feeding skills. Further, vocal cord dysfunction is sometimes mistaken for asthma. The vocal folds squeeze shut tightly, making it difficult to breathe. In this case, the speech-language pathologist will help determine what is causing the attacks and help the child learn how to control the spasms in the vocal folds.

Adults who have a neurological disease such as a stroke, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease,
or Lou Gehrig’s disease, may have difficulty communicating with others or even swallowing. After someone suffers a stroke, they often have difficulty processing what is said, or have trouble expressing their thoughts. Stroke can also cause difficulty with forming words, if the muscles in the mouth are not working well.

This website is not affiliated with any educational institution, and all trademarks are exclusive property of the respective owners. College Inspector is the work of a group of Thai students in Bangkok, using info from the US Department of Education, Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). If any stats are incorrect, please contact us with the right data.